Posted on 10/04/2003 8:08:13 AM PDT by hardhead
Greetings Will,
Sorry I have been out of touch! I do appreciate you keeping me posted and this thing is always in my thoughts. Your latest email reminded me of an incident that occurred last archery season with one of my guides and his hunters:
Joe and Mike were glassing for elk on "Bucks Knob", a point which allows one to overlook nearly the entire East side of Dome Mountain. Joe and Mike had been hunting all week, the elk being the normal, elusive critters they are. Joe and Mike were good matches as far as hunters and guides go. Joe is a graduate of MSU, works with children in the summers and overall is a well versed, open minded individual, and as a matter of fact, he and I had many conversations about the wolves. His stand was always pro-wolf. Mike, an acomplished surgeon with the rare down-to-earth attitude many guides enjoy.
The two of them were taking in the big mountain, Montana sky and after sitting for an hour or so, a small pack of wolves frolicking below them in the basin about a 1/2 mile away. Any wildlife one sees while archery hunting is a true treat, and of course, this was extra special for Joe who was now able to share his depth of knowledge of the wolves with Mike who was very interested. However, little did Joe know that in just a couple of minutes his "opinion" of the wolves would quickly change.
I was on another ridge, doing much the same, with the exception of seeing wolves, I was also with a hunter hoping to see some elk. A call came over the radio..."can someone please drive up to Bucks knob quickly...". This is a very unusual request, as we don't "drive" anywhere when hunting. I called back and asked Joe if everything was okay...his shakey response was, "Jerry, there are two wolves stalking us...we need someone to come up here fast...will bear spray work on them?" I was not sure how to respond, as Joe is not one for practical jokes and I knew he was serious. I called the base and told someone to do as Joe asked...
Later that evening at dinner the two told their story..with while faces and hollow eyes. They had seen the wolves from a long distance...one which they felt was safe. The wolves eventually went out of their sight underneath the ridge they were sitting on. As the evening light faded Joee and Mike began to walk out. They had walked just a couple steps when not 20 yards away from them, directly in their path was a large, black wolf, snarling in a crouched position. Joe and Mike then made an attempt to back away from the wolf and head in the opposite direction, just as we are taught with any threatening predator. After walking several hundred yards they felt they were in the clear. Once again, the black wolf, and another approached them, exhibiting intentions that scared both the guide and hunter. This is when they made the call on the radio for a rescue.
While the two anxiously awaited for the rig to show up, darkness now coming quickly the two stood back to back, Mike with bear spray, Mike with an arrow knocked at full draw. However, each fought with a mental battle...the archery hunter...thinking that when can I say I felt threatened...is it 20 yards...is it 10 yards...or do I have to wait until the wolf is actually sinking it's teeth into me? Joe, being the once pro wolf advocate... wondering if spraying them with the bear spray would be considered harrassment? Imagine that...having to "think" before you protect your life? A life which could be potential taken by a large dog? I am sure there are worse ways to die, but at least when it comes to saving one's own life, you don't have to worry about paying fines, going to prison and things like that.
The suburban eventually came, the wolves still watched from a distance. Some might say this was just a fluke. However, I would say this is just a small sample of what is to come. Wolves will learn not only to lose their fear of humans...but, that humans taste just as good as everything else, and they are really easy pickins... because it will always be their fault for being where they shouldn't.
So, in essence, eventually the predators will have more rights than us and we will just have to live with that. So, Will, I guess we will have to learn to look at photos of our mountains, listen to elk bugle on tape. Take Care, CA.
I missed that part of the story...
must not have been issued that instinct. Also, based on the number of toddlers that want to run up and play with dogs that are growling... suspect "instint" isn't the right word at all.
A Bloody Hook!
Was it Bejamin Franklin who said, "A liberal is someone who is afraid to take his own side in an argument."?
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